Page 99 of Two Thousand Shadows

“If it’s too much, we can stop with the lessons. You don’t have to learn Mandarin if you don’t want to. I’m sure one of us will always be close by to translate if you need it.”

Leo shook his head. “No, I want to learn it. I want to know everything about your language and culture. I want tounderstand who you are and your history. It’s important to me because it’s so much of who you and your clan are. But…I…I feel stupid. I’m not learning it fast enough.”

Junjie gasped softly and scooted lower on the bed so he could meet Leo’s eyes. “You’re not stupid, and I don’t understand your need to learn it quickly. We haven’t set a date for our return yet. And there is no rule stating that you must be fluent in Mandarin before we set foot in China. That’s nonsense. You’ll learn it at your pace, and that is fine. You don’t need to worry about what Moon or Erik are doing.”

“But what if I embarrass you?” Leo gasped and his eyes snapped wide open. “What if I’m trying to talk to some other ancient vampire or powerful creature and my Chinese is so bad that I insult them?”

Junjie pressed his lips together tightly, but Leo could tell the vampire was trying so very hard not to laugh right in his face.

“What?” Leo said flatly.

“We talk to very few other vampires in China, and we’ve met no one else more ancient than our clan.”

Leo’s brain sort of melted as he tried to take in that thought. “Whoa.”

Junjie kissed the center of his forehead softly. “Yes. The Zhang clan is ancient. Everyone else must worry about insulting us. I dare anyone to make a snide remark about your accent or any mistakes you might make. See if they survive that encounter.”

Leo’s heart might have flipped in his chest. On some level, his brain knew that Junjie was thousands of years old and that his clan was powerful and ancient. But this washisJun-Jun. The guy who was working through a stack of books on proper potty-training techniques. The vampire who was worried about getting their koi back to China safely because he was sure their two-year-old would be able to tell if they swapped in new fish. The same man who’d fucked him senseless.

“Besides, Kai is technically a god, and I’ve listened to you teasing him countless times. You don’t seem worried about insulting him.”

A tiny smile played on Leo’s lips. “Yes, but Kai and I are family now. He’s not allowed to eat me if I piss him off.”

Junjie ran his fingers along Leo’s cheek and down his jaw. Leo couldn’t help lifting his chin, soaking in that affection, while a low purr rattled up his throat. He loved every time Junjie touched him. Every little stroke and caress. It didn’t matter if Leo was in his human form or cat form; the vampire was constantly touching him. He didn’t know if Junjie did it because he could tell Leo loved it or because he found it reassuring to touch Leo whenever he wanted. Either way, it was heaven.

“Leo, you are my mate. I love my clan, but my heart lives with you now. If you want to remain in the United States and set up a home here, then that is what we will do. My happiness is with you.”

For several frantic heartbeats, Leo could only blink at him. “You’d leave your clan for me?”

“The Zhang clan will always be my clan, whether I live with them in China or here with you.”

Leo’s voice flattened. “You’d leave Erik?”

A snort escaped Junjie. “I never said that. Of course, he would remain here with us. We’re a family, and he is going to need all your knowledge and experience as he grows up.”

Leo wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t. His heart was melting for his sweet mate. It didn’t need to be said that the Zhang clan was very attached to Erik and where that child went, so went the rest of the clan. Xiao Dan also seemed quite determined to keep them all together after they’d suffered such a long separation for Yichen.

“No, I want to go. I want to see your world and your home?—”

“Ourhome,” Junjie corrected.

“I’m nervous, I guess. It’s a big step. I’ve never been out of the United States.”

“It’s okay,” Junjie whispered as their lips met in a slow, sweet kiss. “I’m never leaving your side.”

Leo sighed, wrapping his arms around his lover and mate. Together, forever. Just Leo, Junjie, little Erik, and their crazy vampire family. Perfect.

Epilogue

ZHANG XIAO DAN

Xiao Dan wandered through the building that had steadily become a home to his clan over the past several months. This place was never supposed to be more than a haven until they could finally bring their missing didi back to China.

But their brief stay had stretched for much longer than expected.

And they’d made friends.

And several of his clan mates had found great love.

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